Texas

Bay Area Lawmakers Condemn Texas School Shooting That Killed 19 Children, 2 Adults

“This is preventable. Our inaction is a choice,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on social media.

NBC Universal, Inc. America mourns a mass shooting, and again people wonder when Congress will do something to prevent this kind of tragedy. The House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring background checks, but Senate Republicans have refused to bring it up for a vote. Terry McSweeney reports.

Bay Area lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are reacting to the deadly shooting Tuesday at an elementary school in Texas, condemning the act of violence. 

In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for “nationwide, comprehensive, commonsense gun safety,” saying the mass shooting was preventable. 

“This is preventable. Our inaction is a choice,” Newsom said.

The governor is expected to announce emergency gun violence legislation Wednesday in the wake of the deadly shooting.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr made an impassioned plea for action, and other Bay Area elected officials followed suit after a deadly mass shooting at a Texas elementary school. Cierra Johnson reports.

State Sen. Scott Wiener shared similar sentiment as Newsom, calling on Congress to take action. 

“These mass murders aren’t inevitable. It doesn’t have to be this way. We need fewer guns. Congress must act,” the state lawmaker said in a tweet.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco) also issued a statement, referencing gun safety.

"I’m just speechless at the evil that is running rampant, and behind all of these acts is a firearm," the Democratic senator said. "After every shooting, I ask how many deaths is too many? And after every mass shooting, the news recedes as Republicans refuse to take any action to limit these deaths.

East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell also reacted to the mass shooting, referencing his own children.

"I wish I could look at my 3 small kids & promise I’ll always protect them," he said in a tweet.

Berkeley Mayor Jess Arreguin called the shooting "shameful."

"The level of gun violence in America is a shameful stain on our society," he said in a tweet.

An emotional Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr discussed the tragedy during a briefing with reporters ahead of his team's Western Conference Finals Game 4 matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

"When are we going to do something? I'm so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families out there," Kerr said. "I'm tired of the moments of silence - enough."

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said flags will be flown at half-staff to honor the victims.

In the East Bay, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said access to gun must be limited.

Nineteen children and two adults were killed in Uvalde, Texas after a gunman opened fire inside an elementary school. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the 18-year-old shooter was shot and killed by police. 

Local authorities say the children killed and injured were second, third and fourth graders. 

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